Accepts JM's terms for publication of Origin. If, on reading the MS, JM thinks it will not sell, CD frees him from the offer. Will send chapters soon so he can judge. Though some parts are dry and abstruse, CD thinks it will be interesting to "those who care for the curious problem of the origin of all animate forms".

Transcription

Down Bromley Kent

April 2d

My dear Sir

I am much obliged for your note, & accept with pleasure your offer. But I feel
bound for your sake (& my own) to say in clearest terms, that if after looking
over part of M.S. you do not think it likely to have a remunerative sale, I
completely & explicitly free you from your offer. But you will see that
it would be a stigma on my work for from your offer. But you will see that
it would be a stigma on my work for you to advertise it, & then not publish it.
My volume cannot be mere light reading, & some parts must be dry & some
rather abstruse; yet as far I can judgeperhaps very falsely, it will be interesting to all (& they are many)
who care for the curious problem of the origin of all animate forms.—

I am glad to say that my copyists have been diligent & I find I shall be able
to send you by Post in 3 or 4 days, the Title (with some remarks for
your consideration) the short Introduction,—Ch. I. & Ch II (short but
dryest in volume) & Ch. III. In about 8 or 9 days from now I
shall be able to send Ch. IV & Ch X & XI. (& ultimately you can
see all if you like) & these 6 chapters will give fair, but certainly
not too favourable, notion of interest of whole work. Rely on it, that I
shall work like a slave to complete all.

With my thanks & hearty wishes that you may not be disappointed in work, if
published by you, pray believe me, My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely
| C. Darwin

P.S I may as well mention that I shall require one diagram, engraved on copper on sheet
to fold out;, but it consists only of lines, & letters & figures,
& cannot be at all expensive to engrave.—

P.S. I would add that it is impossible for you or anyone to judge of real
merit of my Book, without reading the whole, as the whole is one long argument